320 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 19, 1889. 
before it. For the present xve are concerned 
■with the question of the presidency, and 
the present opportunity should not be lost 
for securing for that office some nobleman 
or gentleman of position and high reputation, 
who shall merit the confidence of the 
provincial as well as of the metropolitan 
members. The executive so far has been, 
for the society’s designation, rather too 
much metropolitan. We want to see it 
made more representative and national. 
The opportunity now offered is so good an 
one that every personal consideration should 
be sunk by all ambitious of honours, for 
the purpose of obtaining as president hence¬ 
forth one who is worthy of the post, as also 
of esteem and confidence. 
It is also well worthy of consideration 
whether the office of vice-president should 
not be offered to several gentlemen, both 
metropolitan and provincial residents—indeed, 
if a number of these honorary officials were 
elected so much the better. The appointment 
of a chairman and vice-chairman for the 
general committee would materially enhance 
the society’s reputation and usefulness, whilst 
offering fitting honours annually to merito¬ 
rious members. 
he Chrysanthemum Conference. —Whilst 
the committee of the National Chrysan¬ 
themum Society have every reason to be 
satisfied with the success which attended on 
their first conference, which was held in 
association with the mid-winter show last 
week, they cannot, with any degree of respect, 
consent to hold a second one under such 
very adverse conditions. The place of meet¬ 
ing—an open gallery—was distressingly bad 
for hearing; the seating accommodation was 
far too limited, so that many members of the 
society had to stand the whole two hours; 
whilst the rattle and noise in the main 
building served to distract attention, and to 
deaden the voices of the readers of papers. 
These happily were excellent, and in being 
published will materially benefit not only those 
members who were present, yet unable to 
hear, but also the growers of the kingdom 
generally. 
As is almost inevitable in the case of papers 
of a severely practical nature, very little dis¬ 
cussion was evoked—a matter for regret ; but 
some present complained that being unable 
to hear they were also unable to criticise. In 
making a selection of topics, which seems to 
have been done in this case, some regard 
should be paid to the need for discussion, and 
therefore it is wise to start, if possible, con¬ 
tentious topics, which are not too dry. The 
opportunity to discuss the nature of the pro¬ 
posed centenary celebrations was an excellent 
one, and would have evoked ample considera¬ 
tion. We hope the executive do not selfishly 
propose to reserve that matter absolutely to 
themselves, but will also permit the members 
to share in the discussion. With respect to 
future conferences it is very evident that more 
generous and fitting accommodation than the 
Eoyal Aquarium offers must be found. 
he Chrysanthemum Show. — There were 
some persons at the Eoyal Aquarium 
last xveek, who professed to feel disappointed 
at the comparatively sparse number of exhibits 
of cut flowers ; but there is rather too much 
tendency to forget that the show was held 
two months later than was the November 
display, and these two months in the dead of 
the Avinter present conditions and difficulties, 
with regard to the preservation of Chrysan¬ 
themum flowers, which are almost insurmount¬ 
able. We ought rather to be gratified that 
with such an adverse season it was thus 
admirably shoAvn hoAV much some growers can 
accomplish. A close study of Mr. Kipling’s 
admirable paper may help some other growers 
to do as he has so well done; but it is 
doubtful whether the production of late 
Avinter blooms can be made coincident with 
particular attention to the production of 
autumn show flowers. On that point, how¬ 
ever, we shall be pleased to be enlightened. 
For home decorative uses, hoAvever, late 
blooming Chrysanthemums are invaluable. 
(sirring Exhibitions. —The Eichmond Horti- 
cultural Society proposes to make up for 
the abandonment of its November shoAv a couple 
of years since, by promoting a spring show 
early in the present year. We are glad of this, 
for spring shoivs are just noAV as rare relatively 
as autumn shows are plentiful, and Avhilst one 
less November sboAv in that district is no 
great loss, a really good spring show would 
be a great gain. Eichmond has in the fine 
rooms of the “ Old Castle Hotel ” admirable 
space for the holding of such an exhibition, 
and the contiguity of this favourite and 
fashionable metropolitan suburb to London, 
Avitli the nurseries on the one hand, and the 
AA r ealth of the district on the other, should 
suffice to make the spring venture a real 
success. We rather regret that a desire to 
secure some of the stale leavings of the first 
Botanic SIioav should have induced the com¬ 
mittee of the Eichmond Society to hold the 
exhibition in March ; and, if not too late, Avould 
seriously advise that both in regard to Aveather 
and exhibits, the middle of April should be 
selected in preference. 
ffl ETROPOLITAN Markets.—T he election of 
the London County Council Avill have 
taken place ere this number of The Gardening 
World reaches our country readers; but 
metropolitan ones may not too late perchance 
be reminded that the question, of the provision 
of markets all over London, should pre¬ 
sently form one of the most important duties 
of the neAY Council; hence we urge upon 
electors that Avhilst it is yet time, candidates 
should be favourably regarded Avho have 
pledged themselves to break up the present 
market monopolies, and will give to the 
people ample market accommodation. London 
is, perhaps, worse supplied Avith markets, and 
especially Avith markets for all kinds of garden 
produce, than is any other considerable town 
in the kingdom. Few markets means 
enhanced prices to the consumer Avithout the 
producer getting any of the profit, that goes 
to the middleman. We Avant to see markets 
in every part of the metropolis, in Avhich the 
producer and the consumer may find free 
contact. 
-- 
Gardening Engagements.—Mr. James Riddell, for 
the last six years gardener to the Earl of Faversham, 
Duncombe Park, Yorkshire, as gardener to the Earl of 
Carlisle, Castle Howard, Yorkshire. Mr. John 
Brunton, gardener at Hallyburton House, Forfarshire, 
N. B., succeeds Mr. Riddell at Duncombe Park, and 
Mr. T. H. Crasp, late gardener to the Earl Sydney, 
succeeds Mr. Brunton at Hallyburton. 
Mr. W. J. Murphy.—Our esteemed correspondent, 
Mr. W. J. Murphy, having retired into private life 
after nearly twenty-five years’ faithful service as head 
teacher at the Clonmel Union, and manager of the 
workhouse farm, has received the following flattering 
testimonial from the Board :—“ In accepting Mr. 
Murphy’s resignation, which they do with much regret, 
the Guardians desire to place on record an expression 
of the highest esteem he has earned for himself by the 
ability, zeal, and superior intelligence he has brought 
to bear upon the discharge of his trying and arduous 
duties for a period now close upon twenty-five years. 
This board has also availed of Mr. Murphy’s practical 
knowledge as an agriculturist in the management of 
the workhouse farm, in which department he has like¬ 
wise given the greatest satisfaction. They again 
express for themselves, collectively and individually, 
their very great regret at losing so valuable an officer.” 
The Lorillard Tomato.—The American Garden states 
that this variety is creating quite a furor among gar¬ 
deners. While being an excellent outdoor cropper, it 
is claimed to be the very best variety for forcing under 
glass. John Gardner, the originator, reports a crop 
of 7,500 lbs. grown in 300 10-in. pots last Avinter, an 
average of 25 lbs. of fine marketable fruit from each 
plant. 
Death of Mr. J. Southgate.—We have heard Avith 
regret of the death, on Sunday last, from the effects of 
an accident, of Mr. John Southgate, of Selborne, 
Leigham Court Road, Streatham, aged 71. Mr. 
Southgate, who practised for many years as a solicitor 
in Watling Street, was a great lover of Orchids, and it 
is only a few months since that his fine collection was 
dispersed by auction. 
National Chrysanthemum Society.—At the meeting 
of the general committee, held on Monday evening 
last, Mr. E. C. Jukes presiding, the honorary secretary, 
Mr. Holmes, announced that he had communicated 
the resolution passed at the previous meeting to Mr. 
Sanderson, and had received his reply, which he deeply 
regretted to say was of a negative character. A formal 
resolution was then passed appointing a small sub¬ 
committee to consider the question of the election of a 
new president, and some other matters incidental 
thereto, and report to the general committee. Seven 
new members were elected, raising the roll total to 
648 members ; and the Lewes and District Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Society, and the Devon and Exeter Horticultural 
and Natural History Society were admitted as affiliated 
societies. Judges were then nominated for the 
November show, and it was decided that the following 
gentlemen should be invited to undertake the duties 
of censors, viz., Messrs. Donald, Prickett, Douglas, 
Gordon, Molyneux, Beckett, Castle, Head, Miles, and 
Roberts, the names of Messrs. R. Dean, Langdon, 
Kendall, Jameson, and Bunyard being suggested as 
reserves. The committee adopted the report of the 
sub-committee appointed at the previous meeting to 
consider the question of the next provincial show, 
which recommended that the society should go to Hull, 
if terms can be arranged. 
The English Apple and Fruit Growing Company.— 
The statutory first general meeting of this company 
was held on Friday, the 11th inst., at Anderton’s 
Hotel, Fleet Street, in accordance with the require¬ 
ments of the Acts governing societies of this character. 
The main object of the meeting was for the election of 
directors. The then directors—Messrs. Heald, Cheal 
and Roberts—retired from office, but being eligible, 
offered themselves for re-election. Amongst those 
present besides the directors were Messrs. Ollard 
(the company’s solicitor), Willard, and R. Dean (the 
secretary). The notice convening the meeting having 
been read by the secretary, Mr. Heald, who occupied 
the chair, explained that about 4,000 shares had 
been taken up since issuing their prospectus some 
three months ago, by ninety-four shareholders, of 
whom forty-four were horticulturists or directly con¬ 
cerned in some way or other with horticulture, which 
was in itself so far encouraging, and he had no 
doubt, when once the company had acquired some 
land and set to work, that the number of shareholders 
would, without fail, be largely augmented. They 
could not, under the present circumstances, follow out 
the original programme with regard to Speedgate 
Farm ; but it was their intention to obtain a lease of 
a smaller farm suitable for fruit and vegetable groiving. 
The Board were in treaty with persons who had land to 
sell or let, and they had already inspected some sites 
near London that appeared to be well adapted for the 
purpose. Though the number of shares taken up had 
not come up to their expectations, the Board were as 
sanguine as ever as to their main purpose being a 
sound one, and it was their intention to hire 100 or so 
of acres of good fruit-land upon lease, with option of 
purchase, and commence planting at the earliest pos¬ 
sible moment. They also intend erecting glass houses 
for the purpose of growing fruit and flowers, and to do 
this at the earliest opportunity so as to commence 
operations. The board were sanguine that their inten¬ 
tions were of a nature to result in a remunerative 
business, that would prove satisfactory to the share¬ 
holders ; and the directors would not take a penny in 
the way of fees until a dividend had been paid. Upon 
some of the shareholders making inquiries about the 
erection of glass houses, the chairman, as well as 
Messrs. Roberts and Cheal, the other directors, stated 
that it was their intention to erect glass houses as 
soon as possible for the purpose of growing Yines, 
Tomatos, flowers, and other marketable products, so as 
to get a quick return on the shareholders’ capital 
until the hardy fruit trees should come into bearing. 
It was proposed, seconded, and carried unanimously 
that Messrs. Heald, Cheal, and Roberts be elected as 
directors of the company, and the proceedings closed 
with a vote of thanks to the directors and also to the 
chairman. 
